Today we’d like to introduce you to Ansley DeLaney.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Ansley. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I graduated with my BFA from The Boston Conservatory and right away moved to New York City. I had gotten an agent and started auditioning for shows, but knew I needed a flexible job, where I wouldn’t be stuck working long hours. I found a job teaching babies and children at an indoor play space in Chelsea. One of my favorite classes I taught was a movement class for babies. They had a whole curriculum laid out, so I would show up, check the book and teach the class. Pretty soon Moms would start to ask me movement based questions, “Why isn’t my baby crawling yet?” or, “My baby rolled over once, but hasn’t done it again.” I had no answers for them, but knew I wanted to know more. I reached out to the owners asking who created the class. After a few phone calls I got the name I was looking for, Ellynne Skove. I reached out to Ellynne right away and found out she was getting ready to host a training session in New York. I signed up immediately and spent the summer of 2013 studying with her.
After that I began creating my own class, Move Baby Move. I reached out to places all over New York and New Jersey and was teaching about 8 classes a week. New York was an exciting place to live, but never felt like a place where I wanted to put down roots. My husband and I decided it was time to move back to Boston. Again, I reached out to places all around the Boston area and began building my business. I now teach about 20 classes a week and have continued to expand my classes and education since moving back. I’m certified in Reiki 1, trained to be a New Moms Group facilitator and recently became a 200 hour certified Yoga Teacher.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Just like everything in life it ebbs and flows, as I think it should. Most of the places where I teach have 6-8 week sessions. The fall is always busy, people are actively seeking classes, but come winter things get a little more quiet as it can be tough to get out for class every week with a baby when it’s snowing. During the slower months I spend my time creating new classes, educating myself and recharging. It takes a lot of energy to teach as many classes as I do and because I’m teaching “mommy and me” style I have to appeal to both adults and babies, which is a balance. Spring and Summer finally arrive and brings new life back into the city and people are ready to take class again.
I’m also creating something new and that comes with its own challenges. When I tell people I teach Infant Developmental Movement classes they don’t know what that means. They come to class not always knowing what to expect, but afterwards they are so glad to have found the class and end up telling their friends about it. I had a Grandmother come to class who first approached me chuckling at the idea of a movement class for infants. She couldn’t wrap her head around what that was and what it was going to look like. Afterwards she came over with the biggest smile on her face and told me how much she loved it! She loved getting to bond and connect with her grandchild, she loved the singing, she loved learning about what’s happening in the baby’s body and mind, and she was able to come away from class with some new tricks up her sleeve. I love that adults can come to class and walk away feeling empowered when it comes to understanding their baby. Helping parents gain a little insight into what’s going on in the baby’s development is what it’s all about.
Please tell us about Move Baby Move.
Move Baby Move is an interactive Mommy and Me program for baby’s 6 weeks -18 months, separated into levels, by age and movement ability. We use song, touch, dance, yoga and play to discover new ways to foster and nourish the baby’s development. Babies naturally go through many yoga poses to find their way to rolling over, pushing back, crawling, standing and walking. It’s important for children to go through, and master, all of these developmental patterns. This learning process is psychological, emotional and physical. Developmental Movement works on both the brain and the body and babies who are supported during this process build a strong foundation of strength, agility and adaptability. My goal is never to negate parents own instincts, or any of the work they have already done, but to meet each child where they are and support the natural patterns of their developing spine, by providing nourishing play that in turn supports bonding, early cognition, emotional regulation and coordination.
The families of Boston have never had classes like this before and I’m so happy to give them a space to learn, explore and bond with their children in a fun and engaging way. In addition to my Move Baby Move classes I also teach a New Parents Group, Prenatal Yoga, Mommy and Me Yoga, and recently started teaching movement classes for children up to age 4. I’m passionate about empowering, nurturing and providing care to all families as they encounter the demands and joys of early parenthood. Through my work I’m able to soulfully fulfill my greatest ambition of caring for others.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
It’s not a specific memory per say, but I was lucky enough to grow up living next to my entire extended family. I remember sleepovers at my grandparents’ house with all of my cousins and family dinners every weekend. Not only does my family still live near each other but they all run a Montessori School together. My Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents and parents work there and my cousins and I attended the school when we were younger. It’s only now that I realize just how special it was to grow up surrounded by such a loving, supportive and close knit family. Boston is a big city and many people are here for careers and live nowhere near their family. To be able to provide a stable and loving community to the families of Boston makes me so happy! The human connection is something, I think, we all deeply crave and stepping into the threshold of parenthood comes with lots of emotions and the need to connect. I feel honored that families allow me to come into their life and be a part of a very special time; the early years.
Contact Info:
- Website: MoveBabyMove.weebly.Com
- Email: Ans.DeLong@gmail.com
- Instagram: @Move.Baby.Move
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/movebabymove/
Image Credit:
Daniella Zankai – Down Under School of Yoga
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
